Introduction
Spring is a time of new beginnings, blooming flowers, and, of course, adorable bunnies hopping around! What better way to celebrate the season than with these Bunny Cupcakes? Perfect for Easter celebrations, spring parties, or just because you want to bring a little cheer to your day, these cupcakes are as cute as they are delicious.
These Bunny Cupcakes are made with moist vanilla cupcakes topped with fluffy buttercream and decorated to look like little bunnies. With a simple yet playful design, these cupcakes are sure to bring smiles to anyone who sees them. They are perfect for a fun baking activity with kids, or a creative treat to serve at your next gathering.
Let’s hop right into the recipe and get baking!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these adorable Bunny Cupcakes:
For the Vanilla Cupcakes:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup whole milk, at room temperature
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (adjust for consistency)
- A pinch of salt
For Decorating (Bunny Features):
- Mini marshmallows (for bunny tail and ears)
- Pink or red sugar (for the nose)
- Candy eyes (store-bought or made with melted chocolate)
- Shredded coconut (optional, for “fur”)
- Licorice or thin candy strips (for whiskers)
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fill the cupcake liners: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting
- Beat the butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add vanilla and milk: Stir in the vanilla extract and add the milk (or heavy cream) a tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Whip the frosting: Continue beating the frosting for an additional 2-3 minutes on high speed until it is light and fluffy.
Step 3: Decorate the Bunny Cupcakes
- Frost the cupcakes: Using a knife or offset spatula, generously frost each cupcake with a smooth layer of buttercream.
- Create the bunny ears: Cut the mini marshmallows in half diagonally to form the shape of bunny ears. Attach these to the top of the cupcake using a bit of frosting.
- Add a bunny tail: Place a mini marshmallow in the center of the cupcake to create the bunny tail. If desired, dip it in shredded coconut to resemble bunny fur.
- Make the bunny face:
- Use candy eyes for the eyes, pressing them gently into the frosting.
- For the nose, sprinkle a small amount of pink or red sugar or use a candy or small piece of frosting to form the nose.
- Add two small pieces of black licorice (or candy strips) for the bunny whiskers.
Step 4: Final Touches
- Optional fur effect: For an added cute factor, sprinkle shredded coconut around the edges of the frosting to mimic bunny fur.
- Chill (Optional): If you’d like, you can place the cupcakes in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to let the frosting firm up a bit before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- Make it ahead: You can bake the cupcakes a day ahead and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to frost and decorate.
- Customize the bunny features: Feel free to get creative with your bunny faces! You can use different colored candies for the eyes or create your own bunny nose with pink frosting.
- Shredded coconut: To make the fur more realistic, toast the shredded coconut lightly in a pan to give it a golden brown color, then sprinkle it over the cupcakes for added texture.
- No candy whiskers? You can use small pretzel sticks or thin pasta for the whiskers as an alternative!
Why Bunny Cupcakes?
These Bunny Cupcakes are perfect for spring celebrations, especially Easter. They’re not only a fun and creative way to get kids involved in the kitchen, but they also make a delightful treat to share with family and friends. The soft, fluffy vanilla cupcakes paired with the smooth, sweet buttercream frosting create a delicious combination that’s hard to resist. Plus, the cute bunny faces are guaranteed to brighten up anyone’s day!
Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, a birthday party, or simply want to add a little whimsy to your afternoon, these Bunny Cupcakes will be a hit. They’re easy to make, customizable, and guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone who gets to enjoy them.
Conclusion
These Bunny Cupcakes are not only adorable but also incredibly delicious. With their soft vanilla cake, creamy buttercream, and playful bunny design, they’re the perfect treat to celebrate the season. So grab your apron, gather the ingredients, and let’s get hopping into the kitchen!
Be sure to share your creations with me! I’d love to see your bunny cupcakes—don’t forget to tag me on social media or leave a comment with how they turned out!
Happy baking and have fun celebrating spring!